The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization based in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA, with more than 50 years of experience in conducting agricultural research and carrying out development projects. The overall mission of IFDC is to “Bring together innovative research, market expertise, and strategic public and private sector partners to identify and scale sustainable solutions for soil and plant nutrition that benefit farmers, entrepreneurs, and the environment.” With this mandate, IFDC has implemented a wide range of agricultural development activities in more than 100 nations in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The work of IFDC covers a wide spectrum: from investigating and promoting productivity-enhancing technologies and practices to fostering agricultural market development. The goal is to empower farmers with tools and knowledge while strengthening input and output markets. This includes engaging policymakers in creating a policy environment that enables the growth of private sector driven market and agricultural systems that are sensitive to environmental needs.

2.1      Background and Context

A sustainable market-based agri-food system is essential for post-conflict recovery and long-term development in South Sudan. For decades, the country’s agriculture sector has been shaped by humanitarian interventions, particularly the widespread distribution of free food and seeds. While these efforts have supported millions of vulnerable households, they have also inadvertently disrupted local markets, discouraged private sector investment, and hindered the development of resilient, self-sustaining agricultural systems.

Overreliance on humanitarian seed aid has created a disincentive for local seed production and market development. As of 2020, less than 5% of seeds used by South Sudanese farmers were procured through formal markets. This situation has limited farmers’ access to diverse, high-quality, and locally adapted seeds, critical inputs for improving productivity, resilience, and food security.

Recognizing the need for systemic change, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) has supported several initiatives to strengthen South Sudan’s seed sector and agri-food markets. These include:

·       Seed Sector Development for South Sudan (SSD4SS), implemented by AGRA.

·       Food and Nutrition Security Resilience Programme (FNS-REPRO), led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

·       Food Security through Agribusiness in South Sudan (FSABSS), managed by Cordaid.

2.2      About A3-SEED

To build on these efforts, the Accelerating Agriculture and Agribusiness in South Sudan for Enhanced Economic Development (A3-SEED) project was launched. It is a five-year initiative (2020-2025) funded by EKN with an initial investment of €8.5 million and a top up of €712,693, for a total of €9,212,693. The project is implemented by IFDC in partnership with KIT Institute. A3-SEED aims to reduce the South Sudanese seed sector’s dependency on humanitarian support, particularly the distribution of free seeds of foreign origin, and to promote the emergence of domestic seed value chains and markets. To achieve this, the project includes an intervention fund, allocated to 10 national seed companies registered with the Seed Trade Association of South Sudan (STASS), along with technical assistance.

The project supports these companies too:

·       Establish and strengthen networks of seed out-growers and agro-dealers.

·       Supply high-quality, locally adapted seeds to over 100,000 smallholder farmers.

·       Increase the share of locally procured seed used in humanitarian aid.

·       Promote the adoption of good agricultural and climate-resilient practices.

·       Support the development of 400 micro-entrepreneurs, including women and youth.

A3-SEED targets five key geographic hubs in South Sudan where food insecurity is high and access to formal seed markets is limited – Juba, Bor, Rumbek, Torit/Magwi, and Yambio/Nzara. Its approach is designed to ensure that seed production, marketing, and distribution function more effectively, sustainably, and inclusively, thus reaching the last mile and contributing to long-term agricultural transformation.

For more information, you can access:

·       The project’s IATI profile on D-Portal: https://d-portal.org/ctrack.html?&country_code=SS&reporting_ref=US-EIN-63-0676451&sector_code=31120#view=act&aid=US-EIN-63-0676451-A3SEED_SouthSudan

·       The Mid-Term Review (MTR) report Mid-term evaluation

·       The Baseline Report Baseline Report

·       Project Number: 4000004440
https://ifdc.org/projects/accelerating-agriculture-and-agribusiness-in-south-sudan-for-enhanced-economic-development-a3-seed/

2.3      Goal and Objectives

The overall goal of A3-SEED is to accelerate agriculture and agribusiness in South Sudan for enhanced economic development by supporting the existing private sector, including seed companies and individual commercial seed producers, to improve seed production, marketing, and distribution down to the last mile and strengthen STASS to promote domestic seed. The project employs a market systems development approach to facilitate quality seed production and allow market systems to function more effectively, sustainably, and beneficially for all farmers in the country.

The four specific objectives of the project include.

·       Objective 1. Support commercial quality seed production that focuses on ensuring efficient high-quality and economically viable seed sales and distribution, tailored for market-oriented smallholder farmers.

·       Objective 2. Support and ensure the use of quality seeds and good agricultural and climate-resilient farming practices among smallholder farmers, resulting from tailored sales and distribution strategies by seed companies and commercial seed producers.

·       Objective 3. Support and ensure quality seed input and output marketing and distribution through the establishment of last-mile input distribution and effective seed input and output market relationships, which improve local competitiveness through agribusiness development, women’s empowerment, and youth employment.

·       Objective 4. Support learning and capacity development that contribute to the above result areas together with targeted research to address bottlenecks, support adaptive project management, and advance knowledge on seed sector development.

Figure 1.      A3-SEED Theory of Change

2.4      Targets, Stakeholders, and Expected Results

The A3-SEED project has set some ambitious targets. Detailed information can be found in the results framework; however, high-priority projected results include the following:

·       A3-SEED expects to reach more than 100,000 farming households, which will see a doubling of income from marketable surpluses of targeted commodities, improving livelihoods.

·       Over 50,000 directly and 50,000 indirectly trained farmers will realize 50% and 20% yield increases of targeted commodities, respectively.

·       The project will facilitate the development of 100 agro-dealers, 200 new businesses owned or managed by women, and 200 businesses owned or managed by youth.

·       Over 42,000 hectares of farmland under agroecological production and improved farming practices will become more resilient to shocks.

·       50% of relief seed will be procured locally, coordinated through STASS.

2.5      Partner Engagement

The A3-SEED project is a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening South Sudan’s seed sector to improve food and nutrition security. It employs a multi-level engagement approach local, national, regional, and international to drive systemic change and build resilience in a fragile context. Building on the foundations of earlier EKN-funded initiatives such as FNS-REPRO and FSABSS, A3-SEED continues to advance seed governance, market development, and institutional capacity building.

To ensure strategic alignment and shared learning, A3-SEED collaborates with ongoing EKN-funded projects including RURALSS (AVSI), ARFSA (ZOA/Dorcas with the University of Juba), STREAM (Mercy Corps), and CDRD (GIZ). These partnerships support integrated approaches to agricultural development, resilience, and market systems. Beyond EKN-funded initiatives, A3-SEED coordinates with NGOs, UN agencies, and private sector actors to ensure interventions address both emergency needs and long-term development goals. A key focus is aligning seed aid with market-based approaches to avoid distortion and promote sustainability.

At the national level, A3-SEED works with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, seed regulatory bodies, and research institutions to support seed policy, certification systems, and institutional frameworks. A central partner is the Seed Trade Association of South Sudan (STASS), which represents private sector interests, facilitates policy dialogue, and promotes a structured, inclusive seed market. Through STASS, A3-SEED enhances governance, quality assurance, and coordination across the seed value chain.

Sub-nationally, A3-SEED engages with State, County, Payam, and Boma-level governments to ensure interventions are contextually relevant, locally owned, and aligned with decentralized governance. These partnerships support seed production, extension services, and market linkages.

Regionally, A3-SEED through STASS partners with institutions such as Kenya’s KALRO and Uganda’s NARO to access breeder and foundation seed varieties not available in South Sudan. These collaborations enable the introduction of improved varieties suited to local conditions. STASS also represents South Sudan in regional platforms including the East African Seed Committee (EASC), COMESA Seed Harmonization Implementation Plan (COMSHIP), and the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA), advocating for integration into regional seed trade frameworks and promoting alignment with regional standards.

Operating in a fragile, conflict-affected environment, A3-SEED adopts a dual approach that is both market-driven and humanitarian-sensitive. It improves access to quality seeds for vulnerable populations while laying the foundation for a resilient, commercially viable seed sector.

The evaluation should assess the effectiveness, depth, and sustainability of A3-SEED’s partnerships and strategy. It should examine alignment of partner objectives, coordination mechanisms, and joint planning and learning processes. The evaluation should also assess engagement with government, private sector, and communities, as well as the quality of regional and international collaboration.

Sustainability should be evaluated in terms of institutional capacity, policy development, and the establishment of inclusive, resilient seed systems. The evaluation should explore the transition from emergency seed aid to market-based systems and the project’s impact.

Finally, the evaluation should assess how A3-SEED navigates the humanitarian-development nexus, including the contextual relevance of interventions, the balance between immediate needs and long-term goals, and the project’s adaptability and innovation in fragile settings.

The objective of the End-of-Project Assessment (EPA) is to evaluate the performance of the A3-SEED project during its implementation period (2020–2025). This includes assessing the project’s effectiveness, relevance, efficiency, sustainability, impact, and knowledge generation, in line with the OECD-DAC evaluation criteria. The EPA will also identify lessons learned and provide recommendations to inform design and strategy of any future seed sector programming.

The baseline and mid-term evaluations of the A3-SEED project have already been completed. In addition, IFDC and KIT are conducting an internal end-of-project evaluation, which focuses on assessing the project’s outputs and activities. While this internal evaluation is separate from the End-of-Project Assessment (EPA), its findings may provide valuable insights and data that the external consultant can build upon. The EPA will draw on these existing data sources to ensure continuity and comparability. Where appropriate, the consultant may revisit respondents from earlier evaluations. However, the EPA will go beyond these sources to conduct a broader analysis of the project’s performance, outcomes, and emerging impact across various stakeholder groups and implementation levels. The EPA will assess the overall performance of the A3-SEED Project, with a particular focus on outcomes and emerging impact. It will also examine how contextual factors, such as insecurity, climate variability, and economic instability, shaped both the implementation process and results. This broader perspective ensures a comprehensive grasp of the Project achievements, challenges, and contributions to the seed sector in South Sudan.[DA1] 

All evaluation questions have been consolidated and are presented under the relevant OECD-DAC criteria in Table 1. This ensures clarity, avoids duplication, and maintains a manageable scope for the assessment. While Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) was not a primary focus of the A3-SEED project, the EPA will still assess how these elements were addressed and what lessons can be drawn for future programming. Although long-term impacts will continue to evolve beyond the project’s official end date, the EPA will focus on identifying early signs of impact and emerging trends that may shape future agricultural and seed sector initiatives.

The A3-SEED EPA will adopt a rigorous mixed-methods approach, guided by internationally recognized evaluation standards. Specifically, it will integrate the OECD-DAC evaluation criteria and the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) Standards for Results Measurement. This dual framework ensures a comprehensive, credible, and evidence-based assessment of the project’s performance, outcomes, and sustainability. The EPA will assess A3-SEED’s contributions at both the outcome and emerging impact levels, covering the full implementation period. It will combine quantitative metrics with qualitative insights to provide a holistic understanding of how well the project achieved its objectives and contributed to strengthening South Sudan’s seed systems.

While a mixed-methods design is recommended, the evaluator is encouraged to propose a creative and contextually appropriate methodology. This flexibility allows for the use of innovative tools and techniques that best suit the evaluation objectives and the realities of the South Sudanese context. The methodology should ensure triangulation of data sources, enhance the validity of findings, and support robust, actionable conclusions. The evaluation will be structured around the consolidated questions in Table 1, ensuring alignment with the OECD-DAC criteria and avoiding duplication.

Table 1.        Evaluation Questions

The consultant will report directly to the A3-SEED Project Lead and the IFDC Country Director for South Sudan. The consultant is expected to collaborate closely with field staff from both IFDC and its implementing partner, the KIT Institute, throughout the evaluation process.

To ensure effective coordination, oversight, and quality assurance, the following governance structure will guide the evaluation:

5.1       Steering Committee – Day-to-Day Coordination

The Steering Committee will oversee the operational aspects of the evaluation. It will serve as the consultant’s primary point of contact for technical guidance, logistical support, and coordination with field teams. The committee will include IFDC South Sudan Project Lead, IFDC M&E Representative and KIT Evaluation Focal Point that will:

• Facilitate access to project documentation, stakeholders, and field sites.
• Provide timely feedback on evaluation tools, methods, and progress updates.
• Ensure alignment between the evaluation activities and project realities.
• Support troubleshooting and decision-making during fieldwork.

5.2      Reference Group – Strategic Oversight and Quality Assurance

The Reference Group will provide strategic direction and ensure the quality, relevance, and credibility of the evaluation. It will review and approve key deliverables, including the inception report, draft findings, and final evaluation report. The group will also ensure that the evaluation reflects donor priorities and contributes to broader learning.

Roles include:

• Reviewing and approving the evaluation design and methodology.
• Providing strategic feedback on findings and recommendations.
• Ensuring alignment with donor expectations and sectoral priorities.
• Validating the final report and its use for future programming.

Members:

• One representative from KIT (not part of the Steering Committee)
• One representative from IFDC (not part of the Steering Committee)
• Hugo Verkuijll, Robinah, and Arend, all representatives of EKN.

Role of KIT in the evaluation Process

KIT will play a dual role in supporting the evaluation:

1. Technical Partner: KIT will provide subject-matter expertise, particularly in seed sector development, systemic change, and interpretation of findings. KIT will also support the consultant in understanding the project’s theory of change and contextual dynamics.
2. Endline Contribution: KIT will contribute to the design and implementation of the endline study, ensuring consistency with previous evaluations and alignment with the project’s learning agenda. KIT will also assist in data analysis and validation of findings related to seed sector performance and sustainability.

5.3      Responsibilities

A3-SEED (IFDC and KIT) will provide:

• Access to relevant project documents and background materials.
• Technical guidance and support throughout the EPA.
• Introductory meetings with key stakeholders.
• Timely feedback on the proposed approach, methods, and deliverables.
• Internal review and comments on all consultant reports and outputs.

The Consultant will be responsible for:

• Reviewing project documentation and submitting an inception report.
• Designing a detailed and contextually appropriate evaluation methodology.
• Conducting all data collection activities.
• Analyzing data and presenting findings in a clear and accessible format.
• Regularly reporting progress to the Steering Committee and responding to feedback.
• Delivering all outputs within the agreed timeline and quality standards.
• Organizing and facilitating a validation workshop with project staff and key stakeholders.
• Engaging regularly with the A3-SEED team and Reference Group to incorporate feedback.
• Producing a final EPA report that includes:
• Data against all indicators in the project log frame.
• Evidence-based responses to the evaluation questions.
• A summary of lessons learned.
• Recommendations for future programming.
• Submission of raw data sets for storage and future use by IFDC.

6.1      Timeline and Duration

The duration of the End-of-Project Impact Assessment (EPA) is expected to be 40 working days, including up to 21 days of fieldwork. However, the timeline has been adjusted to allow sufficient time for:

• Selection and onboarding of the evaluator,
• Review and approval of the inception report by the Reference Group,
• Integration of the final results from the project’s extension phase,
• Use of the endline data collected by KIT.

Applicants are expected to submit a detailed methodology, cost estimate, and activity timeline as part of their proposal. Any deviation from the proposed schedule should be clearly justified. Additionally, the proposal must include a risk analysis addressing insecurity and in-country restrictions in South Sudan, along with alternative strategies should travel be restricted.

Table 2.        Timeline of activities in the end-of-project impact assessment

The consultant will produce the above set of deliverables at each stage of reporting:

1.     An inception report should be submitted and accepted prior to commencement of field work. The inception report will be reviewed and approved by a panel consisting of IFDC, EKN, and possibly a third independent party familiar with the market systems development approach. It must contain a detailed methodological approach that includes key research questions and how they will be answered, defined indicators, sampling framework, review matrix, data collection tools, etc. The inception plan should retain a degree of flexibility to allow the incorporation of any changes recommended.

2.     If conditions permit, a one-day stakeholder validation workshop will be held at the conclusion of the field mission to review early findings contained in the draft EPA report.

3.     The draft and final versions of the EPA report (accepted by both IFDC, KIT, and EKN).

To ensure the credibility, independence, and technical rigor of the A3-SEED EPA, the assignment must be conducted by a highly qualified consultant, either an individual or a firm, with a designated lead expert. The consultant will be responsible for the overall design, coordination, and delivery of the evaluation, ensuring that findings are methodologically sound, contextually relevant, and actionable. Given A3-SEED’s focus on private sector-led agricultural development, the consultant must demonstrate a strong track record in evaluating market systems development and private sector development programs, with proven application of DCED Standards and OECD DAC evaluation criteria.

7.1      Core Responsibilities

·       Evaluation design and oversight: Lead the development of a robust evaluation framework aligned with international standards (OECD DAC and DCED).

·       Methodological leadership: Design and implement a mixed methods approach for data collection, analysis, and triangulation.

·       Team coordination: Supervise all evaluation activities, ensuring quality control and timely delivery of outputs.

·       Stakeholder engagement: Facilitate consultations with IFDC, KIT, STASS, EKN, seed companies, agro-dealers, and farmer cooperatives.

·       Reporting: Produce high-quality reports that reflect stakeholder feedback and provide clear, evidence-based recommendations.

·       Ethical compliance: Ensure adherence to ethical research standards, including confidentiality, informed consent, and cultural sensitivity.

7.2      Required Qualifications

1.     Educational Background

·       Advanced degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in one or more of the following fields:

ü  Economics/agricultural economics

ü  Development studies

ü  Market systems development

ü  Business administration

The applicant must demonstrate a strong academic foundation in relevant disciplines, providing the theoretical and analytical tools necessary to understand complex agricultural and market systems and to design and interpret rigorous evaluations.

2.     Professional Experience

·       Minimum of 10 years of experience in conducting complex program evaluations, with a focus on:

ü  Agricultural development

ü  Private sector facilitation

ü  Market systems development

This level of experience indicates that the applicant has led or contributed to multiple evaluations, ideally in agriculture, private sector development, or market systems development. It reflects a deep understanding of how to assess program effectiveness, sustainability, and impact in real-world settings.

·       Experience in fragile/post-conflict settings: Working in a context like that in South Sudan requires sensitivity to political, social, and logistical challenges. Experience in similar environments ensures the applicant can navigate these complexities effectively and ethically.

·       Stakeholder coordination: The applicant must be adept at managing relationships with diverse actors, government agencies, donors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector players, ensuring inclusive and participatory evaluation processes.

3.     Technical Expertise in DCED Standards

·       Market systems change tracking: The applicant must have the ability to assess how interventions have influenced the behavior and performance of market actors (e.g., seed companies, agro-dealers), and whether these changes are systemic and sustainable.

·       Business viability assessment: The applicant must be able to evaluate whether supported businesses (e.g., seed companies) are financially sustainable without ongoing donor support, including profitability, market share, and operational resilience.

·       Results chain application: The applicant must be skilled in mapping how project activities have led to output, outcomes, and long-term impacts using the DCED results chain framework. This will help clarify causal pathways and identify where change is occurring.

·       Economic and financial outcome analysis: The applicant must be able to quantify changes in revenue, profitability, and market access for businesses supported by the project, using financial data and market indicators.

·       Private sector engagement assessment: The applicant must be able to evaluate the extent and quality of partnerships, co-investments, and capacity building efforts with private sector actors, and whether these relationships are likely to continue post-project.

4.     Technical Expertise in OECD DAC Criteria

• Effectiveness: The applicant must be able to assess whether A3-SEED achieved its intended results, such as improved seed availability, increased farmer productivity, and stronger agribusiness linkages.
• Relevance: The applicant must be able to determine whether the project’s design and interventions were appropriate to the needs of South Sudan’s agriculture sector and aligned with national policies.
• Efficiency: The applicant must be able to analyze whether project resources were used wisely, delivering maximum value for money and minimizing waste or duplication.
• Sustainability: The applicant must be able to determine the likelihood that project benefits, such as improved seed systems or market linkages, will continue after donor funding ends.
• Impact: The applicant must be able to measure tangible changes in the lives of beneficiaries (e.g., farmers, seed companies), such as increased yields, income, or market access.
• Knowledge generation: The applicant must be able to identify lessons learned and best practices that can inform future programming, contributing to broader sectoral learning.

·       Evidence of past work:

ü  Sample evaluation reports: These are essential to verify the applicant’s experience and quality of work. Reports should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to assess private sector development and market systems development programs, analyze seed sector performance, and apply DCED and OECD DAC frameworks.

ü  Relevance to private sector-led interventions: The applicant must show experience working with or evaluating private sector actors such as seed companies, agribusinesses, or trade associations.

ü  Disqualification for lack of evidence: To maintain the integrity of the selection process, applicants who do not provide relevant and verifiable evaluation samples will not be considered.

The total anticipated budget for the EPA is €50,000. This is inclusive of all consultant fees, logistical costs, and relevant taxes. The cost of the validation workshop will be paid separately.

This section outlines the key requirements for submitting a bid, the evaluation criteria that will be applied, and the indicative timeline for the recruitment process. Shortlisted firms or individual consultants who meet the necessary qualifications and experience will be invited to participate in an interview.

9.1      Application Requirements

Applicants are required to submit their bids electronically to procurementsouthsudan@ifdc.org by close of business August 15, 2025. Submissions must include the following:

·       Two to three CVs (lead expert and assistants).

·       A technical proposal (approximately three pages) outlining the envisioned approach and methodology for conducting the EPA.

·       A financial proposal, clearly broken down by key budget lines (e.g., salaries, travel, per diem/overheads, accommodation, etc.).

·       Legal registration documents (only for firms).

9.2      Assessment Criteria

Submitted bids will be assessed based on:

·       Technical proposal (70% of the total score), considering:

ü  Understanding of the Terms of Reference.

ü  Qualifications and experience of the proposed technical experts.

ü  Relevance and rigor of the proposed methodology.

ü  Evidence of having conducted similar assignments in East Africa, preferably in South Sudan.

ü  Past performance in related projects.

·       Financial proposal (30% of the total score).

9.3      Timeline

·       Application deadline: August 15^th, 2025

·       Evaluator selection and contracting: 31^st August 2025

·       Expected start date: September 2025

·       Inception report due: End of October 2025

·       Inception report approval: November 2025

·       Fieldwork and data collection: December 2025 – January 2026

·       Draft report submission: End of January 2026

·       Final report submission: February 2026